Military History. — Cadet at the Military Academy, July 1, 1858, to June 11, 1863, when he was graduated and promoted in the Army to

Second Lieut., 5th Cavalry, June 11, 1863.

Served during the Rebellion of the Seceding States, 1863‑66: in the Rapidan Campaign, commanding Company (Army of the Potomac), Aug., 1863, to May, 1864, being engaged in Actions at Brandy Station, Aug. 1‑4, 1863, — Combat of Bristoe Station, Oct. 14, 1863, — and Skirmish

(Bvt. First Lieut., Aug. 1, 1863, for Gallant and Meritorious Services at the Battle of Brandy Station, Va.)

at Morton's Ford, Feb. 1, 1864; in the Richmond Campaign, commanding Company (Army of the Potomac), May to Aug., 1864, being engaged in the Battle of the Wilderness, May 5‑6, 1864, — Combat of Todd's Tavern, May 7, 1864, — "Sheridan's Raids," participating in the Engagements at Yellow Tavern, May 11, Beaver Dam, May 11, Mechanicsville, May 12, Cold Harbor, May 15, and Trevillian Station, June 11‑12,

(First Lieut., 5th Cavalry, June 12, 1864)

1864, — and Action at Deep Bottom, July 28, 1864; in General Sheridan's Shenandoah Campaign, commanding Squadron, Aug.‑Sep., 1864, being engaged in the Skirmishes at Kearnysville, Aug. 25, and Smithfield, Aug. 29, 1864, — and Battle of Opequan, Sep. 19, 1864, where he was severely wounded; on sick leave of absence, disabled by wound,

(Bvt. Captain, Sep. 19, 1864, for Gallant and Meritorious Services
at the Battle of Winchester, Va.)

Sep. 19 to Dec. 12, 1864; and as Recorder of Board for examining non‑commissioned officers for promotion in the Army, Dec. 12, 1864, to Aug. 1, 1866.

Thayer's Notes:

a
Capt. Robbins' middle initial is from his tombstone, and his year of birth is calculated from the entry in the Register, confirmed by his tombstone. Although it is tempting to give his full middle name as Ripley, as does the Find-a‑Grave page linked to above, this isn't certain. The International Genealogical Index (q.v.)
has two different records matching Kenelm Robbins † 1870: the one that includes the middle name Ripley gives his correct date of death, but puts his birth in Prince George's County in Maryland. The specific county makes it an unlikely typographical error for his correct birthplace in Massachusetts; Prince George's County is not the county in which he is buried, nor can it have been the county where he died, since he died in Mississippi: so the discrepancy remains.